The Sunday of Lent / Lilianne Ruz

I climb the hill drawn by the magnetism of the chapel, by the theology school of the Dominican friars ( in spite of the torches of the Inquisition ) by the alpha and the omega, the cloistered life of the monks confer to my church a special something. “What is it to love thy neighbor? … Continue reading “The Sunday of Lent / Lilianne Ruz”

False Paradigms / Fernando Dámaso

The five spies serving sentences in the United States, four in prisons and one on parole (for two years he can’t leave the country), together with their families, have been converted, at least officially, as a result of a massive media campaign, into paradigms of the politically correct citizen. When one speaks of courage and … Continue reading “False Paradigms / Fernando Dámaso”

How did you think of it, Danilo? / Joisy García Martínez

Danilo Maldonado, known as “El Sexto” has proposed, from his insistent irreverence towards power, a new flag for Cuba, saying it will lead to “new trends in social thinking.” Danilo Maldonado is known among members of the emerging Cuban society as “El Sexto.” He is a young, carefree and happy, and lives in Arroyo Arenas, … Continue reading “How did you think of it, Danilo? / Joisy García Martínez”

New Graffiti / Regina Coyula

This grand wall at 19th and 42nd survived for a long time displaying the graffiti of El Sexto* with its pink criticism and his trademark star all the way to the walls of El Vedado. Apparently, the pink lacquer he used has been extinguished because last week it was covered up — as you can … Continue reading “New Graffiti / Regina Coyula”

CALL THE POLICE…!!! / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

THEY AREN’T FIVE, EL SEXTO (THE SIXTH)… Collective explosion with performances and madness to surround El Sexto with an embrace of solidarity from his friends male and female, and to tell the police and the powers-that-be in Cuba that we are with him, with him, with him, with EL SEXTO…. Saturday, October 29, at 5 … Continue reading “CALL THE POLICE…!!! / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

Cuban Graffiti Artist Demands Freedom With His Spray Can / Yoani Sánchez

It’s nighttime, the street light on the corner isn’t working, and no cars go down the street at this time. A bony and agile hand quickly pulls out a can of paint and sprays a signature on a wall, ending in a five-pointed star. In the morning curious neighbors will read the rubric, “El Sexto” … Continue reading “Cuban Graffiti Artist Demands Freedom With His Spray Can / Yoani Sánchez”

Paramilitaries / Yoani Sánchez

To El Sexto, arbitrarily detained Havana graffiti artist The tires squeal, the car doors fly open, three men pour out, all produced by the same mold: strong, military haircuts, cell phones clipped to their belts. There is no possible escape. No neighbor will provide refuge, the curious move away, frightened, and potential witnesses won’t want … Continue reading “Paramilitaries / Yoani Sánchez”

Instructions for an Escape / Ernesto Morales Licea

Chapter 3: Dissident Muralist* The procedure was simple. Very simple. You looked for a piece of cardboard and painted it with a phrase against the Government. You hung it around your neck and went out into the street. Like in the reality shows where a naked man comes out into the light of day starkers, … Continue reading “Instructions for an Escape / Ernesto Morales Licea”

A Barometer To Measure Corruption In Latin America

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Generation Y, Havana, 2 October 2019 — They smile, drink a few drinks and bills also slip from hand to hand as they exchange favors, alliances, offer bidding privileges and move local political waters. The scene could be located in any part of Latin America, a continent that is still gripped by corrupt … Continue reading “A Barometer To Measure Corruption In Latin America”

“Friends Of Cuba” in Peru Destroy Billboard That Supports Human Rights

14ymedio, Miami, 11 April 2018 — A billboard calling for the end of repression, corruption and impunity in Cuba was vandalized on Tuesday in Lima, Peru, where the forums parallel to the VIII Summit of the Americas are being held. The billboard, placed near airport and addressed to those who are participating in the hemispheric … Continue reading ““Friends Of Cuba” in Peru Destroy Billboard That Supports Human Rights”

Defending Freedom is Not a Profession / Lia Villares

Lia Villares, 5 February 2018 — The low blow of a sudden search of a dissident’s home, orchestrated by members of Cuba’s counterintelligence “with the objective of seizing objects of illicit origin” and using this to accuse us, to charge us with a common crime (“illicit economic activity”), even if only for political motives, is … Continue reading “Defending Freedom is Not a Profession / Lia Villares”

Ladies in White Report the Repression They Suffer to Attorney General

14ymedio, Havana, 2017 — The Ladies of White Yamile Garro Alfonso, Lázara Barbara Sendilla and Maria Cristina Labrada delivered on Monday, as representatives of the whole movement, a summary report to the Attorney General’s Office on the repression they have suffered over the last fifteen months. The leader of the women’s group, Berta Soler, explained to … Continue reading “Ladies in White Report the Repression They Suffer to Attorney General”

The Government Prohibits Berta Soler From Leaving Cuba / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 21 March 2017 – This Tuesday, the Cuban government prevented Berta Soler, leader of the Ladies in White movement, from traveling outside the country because of an unpaid fine for for an alleged infraction “against public adornment.” Meanwhile, the authorities accuse her of having thrown “papers in the street,” which the regime opponent … Continue reading “The Government Prohibits Berta Soler From Leaving Cuba / 14ymedio”

The Language in the Struggle for Democratization / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos

14ymedio, Pedro Campos, Havana, 1 September 2015 — If for you revolution is taking up arms on a hill and facing the bullets of power, for one of your interlocutors it is an act in which the masses take to the streets to change one government and impose another and for a third participating, it … Continue reading “The Language in the Struggle for Democratization / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos”